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Edward Young Quotes

Powerful Edward Young for Daily Growth

About Edward Young

Edward Young (1683 – 1765), an eminent English poet and Bishop of Ripon, was born on March 9, 1683, in Charles Town, Province of South Carolina, to John Young, a Church of England minister, and Anne Hutchinson. His family returned to England when he was six years old due to the unrest in the colony. Young studied at Eton College and Trinity College, Cambridge, where he excelled academically but struggled with health issues. He suffered from a severe eye condition that left him almost blind for most of his life. This physical affliction is thought to have influenced his deeply introspective poetry. After Cambridge, Young moved to Paris in 1706 to continue his education and immerse himself in the continental cultural scene. In France, he was exposed to French Baroque poetry, which would significantly influence his own work. In 1725, at the age of 42, Young published his most famous work, "The Night Thoughts," a series of five night-time meditations on mortality, grief, love, ambition, and other themes. The work is considered a masterpiece of English literature and showcases Young's profound introspection and deep religious sentiment. Young was appointed Bishop of Ripon in 1734, a position he held until his death on February 29, 1765. Despite his ecclesiastical duties, he continued to write poetry, producing works such as "The Complaint, or Night-Thoughts of the Soul" (1742) and "Love's Recall; or, The Progress of the Mind from Love Disappointed to its Converse with Itself" (1750). Young's life and works were marked by introspection, spirituality, and a deep engagement with the human condition. His poetry continues to be studied and appreciated for its depth and originality.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Wealth is the ability to fully experience life."

This quote suggests that true wealth lies not solely in material possessions, but rather in the capacity to fully immerse oneself in life's experiences. It implies that the ability to live richly, to savor life's moments, adventures, and relationships, is a form of wealth more profound than financial affluence. This perspective encourages us to value experiences over accumulated possessions, fostering a mindset of living fully, not just surviving or amassing material goods.

"God himself is the only original, all other masterpieces are but copies."

This quote by Edward Young suggests that all creative works, whether they be literature, art, or music, ultimately derive from a single source - God (or the divine, depending on one's beliefs). In essence, he is positing that true originality can only come from the ultimate creator of the universe. All other artistic and intellectual achievements are interpretations, reflections, or adaptations of this original creation. This idea underscores the belief in a single source of truth and creativity, emphasizing the interconnectedness and unity of all things.

"Hope is a waking dream."

The quote "Hope is a waking dream" by Edward Young suggests that hope, though not tangible like a dream during sleep, is an active, conscious aspiration or expectation of something positive. It implies that hope shares qualities with dreams, such as being a product of the imagination, a source of inspiration, and a driving force towards a desired goal. However, unlike dreams, hope has the power to influence reality as it spurs individuals into action to bring their aspirations into existence.

"Love is not a feeling, it is a stubbornness."

Edward Young's quote "Love is not a feeling, it is a stubbornness" emphasizes that love goes beyond fleeting emotions; it is a steadfast and unyielding commitment, even in the face of adversity or hardship. It suggests that love requires persistence, resilience, and an unwillingness to give up on a relationship. This interpretation underscores the idea that true love endures and overcomes obstacles, rather than being swayed by transient feelings or circumstances.

"Life is a school of doubts, and they who are certain they know, stand suspended from learning."

This quote emphasizes that uncertainty and questioning are essential aspects of life, as they foster learning and growth. By acknowledging our doubts and embracing them as opportunities for exploration rather than definitive answers, we remain open to new experiences and insights. Those who believe they already know everything stagnate in their learning journey, as they have closed themselves off to the infinite possibilities that life offers.

The future... seems to me no unified dream but a mince pie, long in the baking, never quite done.

- Edward Young

Dream, Never, Mince, Baking

Tomorrow is the day when idlers work, and fools reform.

- Edward Young

Work, Tomorrow, Reform, Idlers

The maid that loves goes out to sea upon a shattered plank, and puts her trust in miracles for safety.

- Edward Young

Trust, Goes, Shattered, Plank

Much learning shows how little mortals know; much wealth, how little wordlings enjoy.

- Edward Young

Wealth, How, Shows, Mortals

The weak have remedies, the wise have joys; superior wisdom is superior bliss.

- Edward Young

Wise, Remedies, Superior, Joys

Some for renown, on scraps of learning dote, And think they grow immortal as they quote.

- Edward Young

Grow, Think, Some, Renown

The clouds may drop down titles and estates, and wealth may seek us, but wisdom must be sought.

- Edward Young

Wealth, Drop, May, Titles

Still seems it strange, that thou shouldst live forever? Is it less strange, that thou shouldst live at all? This is a miracle; and that no more.

- Edward Young

Miracle, More, Still, Thou

Life is the desert, life the solitude, death joins us to the great majority.

- Edward Young

Death, Great Majority, Solitude

An angel's arm can't snatch me from the grave; legions of angels can't confine me there.

- Edward Young

Me, Angels, Grave, Arm

A soul without reflection, like a pile Without inhabitant, to ruin runs.

- Edward Young

Reflection, Soul, Like, Runs

Less base the fear of death than fear of life.

- Edward Young

Death, Less, Than, Base

Friendship's the wine of life: but friendship new... is neither strong nor pure.

- Edward Young

Strong, New, Nor, Wine

A God all mercy is a God unjust.

- Edward Young

God, Unjust, Mercy

Men may live fools, but fools they cannot die.

- Edward Young

Men, Die, May, Fools

How blessings brighten as they take their flight.

- Edward Young

Flight, How, Take, Brighten

Wishing of all employments is the worst.

- Edward Young

Worst, Wishing

Virtue alone has majesty in death.

- Edward Young

Death, Alone, Virtue, Majesty

By night an atheist half believes in a God.

- Edward Young

Night, Half, Believes, Atheist

The purpose firm is equal to the deed.

- Edward Young

Purpose, Equal, Firm, Deed

One to destroy, is murder by the law; and gibbets keep the lifted hand in awe; to murder thousands, takes a specious name, 'War's glorious art', and gives immortal fame.

- Edward Young

Art, Law, Immortal, Awe

Revere thyself, and yet thyself despise.

- Edward Young

Revere, Despise, Thyself

The house of laughter makes a house of woe.

- Edward Young

Laughter, House, Makes, Woe

Wonder is involuntary praise.

- Edward Young

Praise, Involuntary, Wonder

They only babble who practise not reflection.

- Edward Young

Reflection, Only, Babble, Practise

There is something about poetry beyond prose logic, there is mystery in it, not to be explained but admired.

- Edward Young

Mystery, Prose, Admired, Explained

Be wise with speed; a fool at forty is a fool indeed.

- Edward Young

Wise, Fool, Indeed, Forty

The man that blushes is not quite a brute.

- Edward Young

Man, Quite, Brute, Blush

Truth never was indebted to a lie.

- Edward Young

Truth, Lie, Never, Indebted

A friend is worth all hazards we can run.

- Edward Young

Friend, Run, Worth, Hazards

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